Western Fisheries Research Center Bacteriology

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Title: Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nPCR) for the
detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum
Number: BACT-6
Version: 01 Created April 15, 2011

Approval: Date: Signature:

Bacteriology Supervisor: April 30, 2011

Effective Date: April 30, 2011

Document Replaced:
Reason for Revision:
Area of Application:

Purpose:
To detect nucleic acids from Renibacterium salmoninarum in DNA extracted
from fish tissues or fluids using a nested PCR primer set

Sections:

I. Background
II. References
III. Materials
IV. Procedure

Disclaimer:
The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this protocol is for the information and
convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or
approval by the U.S. Department of Interior or the U.S. Geological Survey of any product
or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

BACT-6 / Pg. 1 nPCR for Renibacterium salmoninarum

Western Fisheries Research Center Bacteriology

I. Background

The nested PCR (nPCR) test uses two sets of primers that Figure 1. Typical positive and
negative results from nPCR
amplify a segment of the Msa gene that encodes the 57 kDa
major soluble antigen protein. DNA can be extracted from fish
tissues, ovarian fluids or broth culture. The recommended DNA
extraction procedure is outlined in SOP BACT-5 (DNA
extraction for PCR-based detection of Renibacterium
salmoninarum). DNA is subjected to two rounds of PCR
amplification. The first round primer set produces a 383 bp
band while the nested round primer set produces a 320 bp band
(Figure 1). The DNA products from both rounds are visualized *33209 = DNA extracted from a
by agarose gel electrophoresis. culture of R. salmoninarum strain
33209.

Nested PCR is prone to false positives due contamination by first round products.
Laboratories should have four dedicated areas for each stage of the procedure, including:
PCR set-up area: no nucleic acids in this area (PCR reagents only)
DNA template area: area to handle extracted DNA
Amplified template area: area to handle first round template
Gel electrophoresis area: area to handle second round template

Each area should be equipped with dedicated instruments and supplies (e.g. dedicated
pipettors, microcentrifuges, lab jackets, etc.). Work flow should always start in the PCR
set-up area and finish in the gel electrophoresis area (never the opposite direction).

II. References

Chase, D.M. and R. J. Pascho (1998) Development of a nested polymerase chain reaction
for amplification of a sequence of the p57 gene of Renibacterium salmoninarum that
provides a highly sensitive method of detection of the bacterium in salmonid kidney.
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 34: 223-229.

Pascho, R.J., D. Chase, and C.L. McKibben (1998) Comparison of the membrane-
filtration fluorescent antibody test, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the
polymerase chain reaction to detect Renibacterium salmoninarum in salmonid
ovarian fluid. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 9: 99-107.

BACT-6 / Pg. 2 nPCR for Renibacterium salmoninarum

Western Fisheries Research Center Bacteriology

III. Materials

Taq PCR Core Kit: Our laboratory uses the Qiagen Taq PCR Core kit (Qiagen Inc. part
# 201223). Taq polymerase, buffer, dNTPs and loading dyes are also available from a
variety of vendors.

RediloadTM: RediloadTM allows direct loading of PCR reactions into agarose gels.
Purchase from Invitrogen Inc.

Molecular grade water: DNAse- and RNAse-Free water can be purchased from a
variety of vendors. We recommended using a dedicated stock of water for PCR set-up.

Nested PCR Primers: Primers can be synthesized from a variety of vendors. Primers are
typically diluted in molecular grade water to a stock concentration of 100 M (100
pmoles /L). Primers are subsequently diluted to a working concentration of 20 M (20
pmoles /L). Store primers at -20C.

Primer Round Primer Primer sequence

Name
First Round P3 5-A GCT TCG CAA GGT GAA GGG-3
M21 5-GC AAC AGG TTT ATT TGC CGG G-3

Second Round P4 5-AT TCT TCC ACT TCA ACA GTA CAA GG-3
M38 5-C ATT ATC GTT ACA CCC GAA ACC-3
*New lots of primers should be verified using a known positive sample.

Agarose gel: Molecular grade low EEO agarose can be purchased from various vendors.

0.5 X TAE: 50X concentration Tris-Acetate-EDTA (TAE) electrophoresis buffer can be

purchased from a variety of vendors and diluted to the 0.5X working concentration.

100 bp DNA Ladder: DNA ladder for agarose gel electrophoresis can be purchased
from a variety of vendors.

Vendors:
Qiagen Inc.: 1-800-426-8157; www.qiagen.com
Invitrogen Inc.: 1-888.584.8929; www.invitrogen.com

BACT-6 / Pg. 3 nPCR for Renibacterium salmoninarum

Western Fisheries Research Center Bacteriology

IV. Procedure

A. First Round Amplification of R. salmoninarum DNA by PCR

1. In PCR set-up area, add all PCR reagents except the template DNA into one tube;
this is the Master Mix. See Table 1 for formulation.
2. Aliquot 45L of Master Mix into 96 well PCR plate.
3. Move to the DNA template area and add 5L of extracted DNA into the PCR
plate.
4. Load samples into thermalcycler. Program thermalcycler for an initial denaturing
step at 94C for 2 minutes.
5. Program the thermalcycler for 30 cycles.
a. Denaturing at 94C for 30 seconds.
b. Annealing at 60C for 30 seconds.
c. Extending at 72C for 1 minute.

Table 1: Master mix formulation for first round amplication

PCR Final Stock Volume/Reaction Volume for
Reagents Lot Concentration Concentration (Total volume= 50 L) ____ samples
Extracted 5
DNA*
10X Buffer 1X 10X 5
MgCl2 1.5 mM 25 mM -

dNTP's 0.2 mM mM each 1

P3 Primer 20 pMole pMole/l 1
M21Primer 20 pMole pMole/l 1
TAQ 2 units units/l 0.4
RediLoad 1X 10X 5
d-H2O 31.6
*Always include one no template control that has only water and no DNA

Only add MgCl2 to the Master Mix if the 10X Buffer does not contain MgCl2.

BACT-6 / Pg. 4 nPCR for Renibacterium salmoninarum

Western Fisheries Research Center Bacteriology

B. Second (nested) round amplification of R. salmoninarum DNA by PCR

1. In the PCR set-up area, add PCR reagents except the template DNA into the
"Master Mix" tube. See Table 2 for master mix formulation.
2. Aliquot 49 L of Master Mix into 96 well PCR plate.
3. Move to amplified DNA area and add 1l of first round PCR product to the
nested PCR tubes.
4. Load samples into thermalcycler. Program thermalcycler for an initial
denaturing step at 94C for 2 minutes.
5. Program thermalcycler for 20 cycles.
a. Denaturing at 94C for 30 seconds.
b. Annealing at 60C for 30 seconds.
c. Extending at 72C for 1 minute.

Table 2: Master mix formulation for second (nested) round amplication

PCR Final Stock Volume/Reaction Volume for
Reagents Lot Concentration Concentration (Total volume= 50 L) ____ samples
First round 1
template*
10X Buffer 1X 10X 5
MgCl2 1.5 mM 25 mM -

dNTP's 0.2 mM mM each 1

P4 Primer 20 pMole pMole/l 1
M38 Primer 20 pMole pMole/l 1
TAQ 2 units units/l 0.4
RediLoad 1X 10X 5
d-H2O 35.6
*Always include one no template control that has only water and no DNA

Only add MgCl2 to the Master Mix if the 10X Buffer does not contain MgCl2.

BACT-6 / Pg. 5 nPCR for Renibacterium salmoninarum

Western Fisheries Research Center Bacteriology

C. Visualization of Amplified DNA on a 2% Agarose Gel

1. Move to gel electrophoresis area.
2. Make a 2% (w/v) agarose gel (2g per 100 mL of 0.5X TAE).
a. Total volume will be dependent on electrophoresis apparatus size.
b. Microwave to dissolve agarose, cool agarose to ~50C, pour into
electrophoresis tray, and insert comb.
c. Allow gel to cool completely before removing comb.
3. Load samples into wells (volume dependent on well size).
4. Subject agarose gel to electrophoresis following manufacturer instructions for the
electrophoresis apparatus.
a. Voltage and time is dependent on gel size.
b. Run samples until the pink dye (~25 bp) has migrated at least 2/3 of the
way through the gel.
5. A band at either 383bp or 320bp is considered a positive.
a. The positive processing control should have amplification.
b. The negative processing control and no template control should lack
amplification.
c. See BACT SOP-5 (DNA extraction) for further information on the
positive and negative processing controls.

BACT-6 / Pg. 6 nPCR for Renibacterium salmoninarum